Report: Bruins' McAvoy has procedure for infection, out week-to-week

Charlie McAvoy's injury absence will leak into the NHL season.

The Boston Bruins defenceman is out week-to-week after undergoing a procedure on Tuesday to clean and remove an infection, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported.

McAvoy had been admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital to undergo further testing on an upper-body injury, the Bruins said earlier Tuesday.

The 27-year-old American did not play in the team's 2-1 loss to Sweden in Monday's round-robin finale at the 4 Nations Face-Off and will miss Thursday's final.

Head coach Mike Sullivan said at the time that McAvoy was out with an upper-body injury.

McAvoy's big hit on Connor McDavid on Saturday was seen as a momentum changer in the team's 3-1 win over Canada in group play to book a spot in the final.

"He's a terrific hockey player and he's a big part of this team," Sullivan, also head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said of McAvoy. "He's played extremely well through this tournament. When you lose players of that calibre, they're not easy to replace."

The Long Beach, N.Y., product with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) across 50 games this season for Boston is also Sullivan's son-in-law.

"This tournament means a lot to him," said the coach. "He's a very competitive guy. There's a personal note with respect to my relationship with him. I'm disappointed for him because first and foremost he's a great kid and he's a terrific hockey player. 

"Under all the circumstances, he's in good spirits. I know he's disappointed."

The Bruins are on the Eastern Conference playoff bubble with 60 points in 57 games and sit one point back of the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot.

McAvoy's absence now opens the door for Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson to step onto the big stage after getting a taste Monday against Sweden.

"It sucks with Charlie," said the 22-year-old. "Really unfortunate. He came into this tournament, gave everything he had."

Chris Kreider has been impressed with Sanderson, who has five goals and 30 assists for 35 points in 55 games with Ottawa this season.

"Didn't realize he was that young," said the U.S. and New York Rangers forward. "Very professional. His game is very mature." 

Sullivan called Sanderson "an emerging star" in the NHL. He's now on course to get a chance to show his wears on the international stage as well.

"Mobile guy," Sullivan said. "Defends really well. Uses his mobility, his stick to defend. He's got high hockey IQ. He has an offensive dimension to his game. He's really good at joining the rush. He's pretty active along that offensive blue line. 

"Terrific player."

--with files from The Associated Press